The advisory committee on the SAASTA National Schools Debates Project for 2014 has been appointed.

The advisory committee will be required to structure the topics of each of the debates for the provincial and national tournaments. They will also develop a database of content specialists who will assist with the adjudication and mentoring at the provincial tournaments across all nine provinces.

From the left are: Dr Andreas Lemmerer, Solid State Organic Chemistry at the Molecular Science Institute, School of Chemistry at Wits; Neels le Roux, HySA Infrastructure at the Faculty of Engineering, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus; Prof. Wolf-Dieter Schubert, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the University of Pretoria; and Mtheza Mtyopo standing in for Dr Margaret Mkhosi, Technology Innovation Agency

The main objective of the SAASTA National Schools Debates Competition is to stimulate interest among learners (Grades 9 to 11) to study towards careers in science, engineering and technology (SET) through researching and debating high-level topics. In addition, the competition also aims to advance the public awareness, appreciation and engagement of SET in South Africa.

But not only does the SAASTA National Schools Debates Competition stimulate an interest in SET careers, it also introduces learners to broader scientific topics and encourages them to consider how science relates to everyday life.

Focus on Crystallography

Each year the overall theme of the SAASTA National Schools Debates tournament is aligned to the international scientific focus. This year the focus will be on Crystallography and SAASTA hopes that this topic will provide greater appreciation for the scientific world and a healthy dose of scepticism that will allow learners to question things and consider new approaches.

SAASTA looks forward to working with this dynamic team in developing the next generation of South Africa’s leaders in the field of Science, Engineering and Technology.